But Australia is too wet and flat for the latest optical telescopes.
So, our astronomers want us to partner with Europe to access their powerful telescopes in Chile.
It’s part of their plan for the next ten years, in which the global community will invest billions of dollars on the SKA radio telescope in a remote, radio quiet location in the WA desert.
In return, the astronomers argue that Australia should become a full member of ESO, the European Southern Observatory. That will give us access to their optical telescopes operate high in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The VLT (Very Large Telescope) has four 8 metre mirrors and uses lasers to take the twinkle out of stars. The ELT (Extremely Large Telescope!) will have a 40-metre mirror and be 15 times sharper than Hubble when it achieves first light in 2029.
Other priorities in the plan include building connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomy and promoting dark and radio-quiet skies in Australia.
Congratulations Virginia Kilborn and all involved.
Read the Academy of Science’s media release here: https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/a-new-plan-for-australia-to-remain-an-astronomy-world-leader
Read the full plan here: https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/decadal-plans-for-science/astro2035
And read our 2022 media release on ESO membership here: https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/media-releases/giant-machines-for-giant-questions